Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-05-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
An Interesting Letter from vir-
ginia.

RUSSELL Co., VA, April 23, 1887.
pleasing landscapes, balmy atmos-
phere, and rich, nutritious food, 1
would prescribe trip from the Po-
tomac to the Tennesseeline, through
the rich Valley Of Virginia. One can
hardly appreciate the great natural
resources. and the fertility of the soil
with which nature has endowed our
historic valley, until his eyes have
drunk into the depths of his soul the
fairest of natures scenery. There is
a charm about our landscapes which
seems to pervade the very atmosphere
about us, and makes us recall all the
pleasant associations and happy re-
collections we have stored up in MEM
ory's eye. Yes, we should be proud
of our valley, whose soil is enriched
with the blood of Virginia's illustrious
heroes, and from whose bosom have
sprung names which will live through
all ages, until time itself will become
immortal. Passing through the fer
tile estates of jefferson and Clarke
counties, and thence through long
stretch of country prolific with rich
mineral deposits, as yet undeveloped,
we reach Luray, name which has
become widely known from the cav
erns of that place, and from the rare
scenery and refreshing atmosphere
which there abounds. A few hours
more of travel and we are deposited
in the heart of Roanoke, Virginia's
fairest flower, in the first bloom of
womanhood. From the portico of the
Hotel Roanoke, far above the hustle
and hurry of the business centres,
the eye wanders quietly over the
beautiful city, and we naturally ask,
whence comes these Industrious cit
liens? A second thought tells US that
all parts of the world have contributed
to her population. From this inter-
mingIiDg of the opiniUns of es many
different natiGnalities there have
evolved an individuality of industry
and perseverance which might well
be emulated by other cities. From
the car window, passing through the
Valley of the Roanoke, we see some
magnificent estates, whose soil is an
nually enriched by the alluvium de-
posits of the Roanoke River. The
counties of Montgomery, Pulaski,
Wythe and Washington next attract
our attention; the second of which
has become the centre of large zinc
and iron manufactures; furnaces
being now in course of construction.
Passing into Washington codnty we
-, <,f 1n
grass region of Southwest Virginia.
Our first natural inquiry is the road
to Saltville and the Palmer estate
A ride of nine miles on a branch road
brings US to Saltville, a town far
famed for its salt-works, half mil
lion bushels of salt being shipped an
nually, and as the home of Palmer,
the proprietor of the largest herd of
short-horns in the United States, not
excepting the celebrated Alexander
estate of Kentucky. 1t was my
pleasure to visit the salt works, sta
bles, etc. He has about 500 short
horns, 100 jerseys, and about $50
clydesdale horses. The land, ex-
cepting some beautiful meadows, is
very hilly, but on whose steepest
sides the grass grows with luxuri-
ance but seldom seen. I was there
about the 10 of March and the peach
trees were in bloom and tie meadows
green with grass We next reach
Abingdon, a town of about three thou
sand population, which boasts of hav-
ing furnished Virginia with three
governors Passing fhrnForh fJ,a as
tate of Mr.. Stuart, the proprietor of
1.-THE White Sulphur, and ON through